Transfering same year data files between two computers

[jeannnie]

I performed the recommended steps to transfer data files between computers but it isn't working.  I installed the 2024 Turbotax program on my new computer and want to transfer the 2024 return data file from my old computer to my new computer.  The program keeps trying to transfer the 2023 data file and doesn't seem to recognize the 2024 data file as a valid file to transfer over.  Am I doing something wrong? 
I am getting ready to decommission my old computer and wanted to transfer my 2024 return data files to my new computer so when I begin my 2025 return I can just transfer the data over.  Because the recommended steps seem to suggest it should transfer between computers SAME TAX YEAR files, to test it, I downloaded the 2024 program but it doesn't seem to be reading the 2024 data files.

[VolvoGirl]

Did you copy the data file ending in .tax2024 from the old computer?  Then go up to File-Open and browse to where you copied it to on the new computer.

For Windows…..What I would do on the old computer, is copy the whole Turbo Tax folder that is under your Documents. That should be where the .tax files and pdf files are stored. Also if you haven't done it, I would open each year in the program and save it as a pdf file, go to FILE - SAVE TO PDF so you don't need the program installed to view your return. Copy that folder to a flash drive or best yet is to burn it to a CD or DVD and then you will have a backup of them. Then on the new computer copy the folder (or files) from the flash drive to your Documents folder.

IMPORTANT
After you get the program installed or reinstalled the first thing to do before you open your tax return is to update the program and install any state programs you had. Then open your file. So you first might need to start a fake return to be able to download the state program (go to FILE - NEW). Enter some basic information, then go to the state tab and download the state program. Then try to open your existing return, go to FILE - OPEN

You might need to start a new fake return for your existing returns to show up.

See this article on how to move your tax return to another computer…….
https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/tax-data-file/help/how-do-i-move-my-tax-data-file-to-another-compu...

[rjs]

You do not want to do what TurboTax calls "transfer." When TurboTax says "transfer" it means transfer information from your 2023 tax return into your 2024 tax return. What you want to do is copy your .tax2024 file from the old computer to the new computer, then "open" it in 2024 TurboTax on the new computer.

TurboTax will not automatically find a .tax2024 file that was copied from another computer. When you start TurboTax on the new computer, on the first screen click "Find a Tax File" to go to where the .tax2024 file is and open it. After you have saved it once in TurboTax on the new computer, then TurboTax will be able to find it automatically.

As VolvoGirl said, if your .tax2024 file contains a state tax return, you will not be able to open it on the new computer until you have installed the state program.